Having tried to play OFP online for several nights now I have drawn some conclusions. (!)
I use OFP 1.3 / GameSPY Arcade
1. Many ppl simply do not know what to do. At All!
2. Many ppl do not know how to use the # server commands.
3. Even when they overcome these problems eventually there is still considerable difficulty getting into a game.
4. I witness a great deal of "Lets go and screw the newbies" when a server is full or someone cant connect because of reasons 1-3.
The newbies of today are the vets of tommorrow.
I propose a standard method of posting servers on the net (GameSPY etc.):
DEDSRVR XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX:PPPP VER TT [VW] [PSW]
* [] denotes optional
where
DEDSRVR = Server Name
XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX = IP Address for direct connection
PPPP = Port Number if non-default
VER = Upgrade/Server Version running
TT = Turnover Time (Mins). Max time a player will have to wait for a new game to start.
VW = Visitors Welcome. Not a clan/squad server etc.
PSW = Password Required to join.
This information would remove much frustration for many newcomers (like me too!) and make OFP a better community to visit. It's just a workaround for the very basic structure of OFP server joining.
Further suggestions/refinements welcome.
Lets do something though ;-)
roninmd.
